CULLMAN, Ala. – At Cullman City Primary School (CCPS), the pursuit of excellence is not just a goal, but a serious commitment. Under the guidance of Principal Elizabeth Shaddix, the dedicated faculty and staff work to instill in students the belief that striving to be the very best is a journey that everyone should travel.
But academic excellence is not the only area the school hopes the students advance in; excellence in character, compassion and kindness are also ingrained in the system’s youngest students. Faculty regularly hand out B.U.G. stickers for children who are “being unusually good,” caught in the act of going above and beyond for a friend or simply performing a kind gesture for another student.
Each week, faculty and staff are instructed to watch over students, keeping note of good behavior and deeds. The teachers then come together to discuss and choose a few students who have shown exemplary behavior, kindness and respect to their friends, teachers and classmates. These lucky students are known as Golden Apples. They receive the Golden Apple Award; they get a golden certificate and a surprise appearance on the CCPS morning announcements show, broadcast into each classroom from the library each day.
On Friday, April 26, students came single-file into the library, recited the Pledge of Allegiance and sang the CCPS song, full of fun affirmations and phrases, before Cullman City Head Start Education Manager Marci Watts recognized the latest batch of Golden Apples by name.
“(The) Golden Apple Award is (given) for excellent character and citizenship here at Cullman Primary School,” Watts said enthusiastically. “Congratulations on your Golden Apple, guys, we are so proud of you!”
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